KUALA LUMPUR – Following Singapore’s decision to proceed with the execution of mentally disabled Malaysian Nagaenthran Dharmalingam, 34, international personalities have voiced out against the hanging scheduled for April 27.
In a video addressed to Singaporean President Halimah Yacob posted today, British billionaire Sir Richard Branson reiterated his call for Nagaenthran to be granted clemency.
“Only a presidential pardon can stop Nagaenthran’s execution and I’m joining many around the world in asking you to use your powers to grant him clemency.
“Madam president, prime minister, with the eyes of the world on Singapore, Nagaenthran’s life rests in your hands,” said Branson.
President Halimah Yacob: please spare the life of Nagaenthran Dharmalingam
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) April 22, 2022
@reprieve @stephenfry #SaveNagaenthran #Singapore pic.twitter.com/ElpMHzsECV
This is not the first time he has spoken out about the case. Last November, he had questioned the effectiveness of the death sentence meted out against offenders, especially in Southeast Asia, as the global drug trade has continued to grow, with illicit drugs more readily available around the world than at any other point in history.
Besides Branson, UK comedian and author Stephen Fry is also featured in the video appealing for Nagaenthran’s life.
He warned that the hanging of the intellectually challenged prisoner would tarnish the island republic’s standing as a champion of human rights, potentially leading to more dire consequences.
“Nagaenthran’s execution would cast a dark shadow on many of Singapore’s commitments towards the rights of people with disabilities and their inclusion in society.
“That is a great risk to your country’s global reputation, including its reputation in the world of business,” he said, adding that in the name of compassion and mercy, Nagaenthran should be granted clemency.
Nagaenthran was arrested in 2009 and found guilty a year later for trafficking in 42.72g of heroin.
During his trial, it was established that Nagaenthran had an IQ of 69, but the judge ruled that he was on the borderline of having a functional intellect, with the court concluding that he was aware he was committing a crime.
The Singapore Court of Appeal attributed its decision to uphold Nagaenthran’s execution due to the lack of evidence on his alleged mental instability as well as his lawyers’ “abuse of court process”.
In the judgement delivered late last month, the appellate court presided by chief justice Sundaresh Menon, Andrew Phang, Judith Prakash, Belinda Ang and Chao Hick Tin labelled several legal challenges filed by Nagaenthran’s lawyers as a “blatant and egregious abuse of court process” with the aim of delaying the sentence. – The Vibes, April 22, 2022
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